10 civilians killed in southern Afghanistan blast

NATO and Afghan officials say more than 10 civilians have been killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan.

A statement by the international coalition says several others were wounded in the blast, which occurred in a crowded area of the Nahr-e-Sarah district in Helmand province on Thursday.

Dauod Ahmadi, a spokesman for the Helmand governor, says a minibus hit a roadside bomb planted by the Taliban. Ahmadi said that 14 people were killed and wounded, but he could not say specifically how many were dead.

Helmand is among the Taliban stronghold provinces in southern Afghanistan. NATO has beefed up its forces in the area this year in a bid to quell the insurgency there.